London Social Justice

Winner

Vicky Simister

‘The Anti-Street Harassment Campaign UK’

Vicky is working to raise public awareness about the sexual harassment of women on London’s streets. Her aim is to make this socially unacceptable and to work with MPS, local authorities, and other agencies to provide support and assistance where necessary. She has been working with the media to raise awareness and highlight the effect that harassment has on women. Vicky is committed to creating a safe public space for women that is free from all types of harassment.

Finalists

Susan Carini

‘Stop Leaders from Closing’ – Campaigns Consultation Partnership, part of Speak Out Hounslow

By campaigning to stop the closure of an employability service that supports Learners with Learning Difficulties and Disabilities (LLDD) into paid work in Hounslow, Susan hopes to break down barriers that such individuals encounter. Susan is working with local councillors to ensure that the decision-making process is inclusive and has equality of access. She is tackling a wide range of issues such as hate crimes that are targeted at people with learning difficulties and disabilities.

Russell Gwebu

‘Save our Service Westminster’- Westminster Deaf and Disabled People's Organisation

Russell is promoting disability awareness in Westminster. He is working with other disabled people to campaign against the closure of services and proposed changes to funding. One of Russell’s objectives is to ensure that Westminster City Council hears the voices of, and consults with, service-users. Russell is working hard to break down barriers around disability and to ensure that services, funding and policy support the needs and rights of disabled people.

Award Judges

Mubin Haq

Mubin Haq is Director of Policy & Grants and joined the Trust for London in 2002. Mubin takes the lead on Trust for London's grants programme and on a number of special initiatives, particularly those related to research and policy, such as London's Poverty Profile.

His previous employment included working for South East London Community Foundation (now known as Capital Community Foundation) where he undertook a number of roles, including as Interim Director and Head of Grants. Before this he worked for five years in Newham, where he ran St John's Community Centre.

Mubin is currently a Trustee of London Funders (the capital's umbrella body for funders) and is a member of the London Strategic Migration Partnership. He has previously been on the board of a range of other organisations including London & Quadrant Housing Association's Community Investment committee, Community Foundation Network and Royal Docks Trust.

Peter Lewis

Having started working life as a City lawyer for Allen & Overy Peter is now Chief Executive of LVSC. He left the law to seek greater work-life balance and a career which better reflected his value system. After volunteering for a number of charities he became a programme development manager at Crisis, the charity for homeless people. He moved on to head up the London Cycling Campaign, growing it in size and influence over a 3 year period before being lured into public service for the GLA. During his 6 years in the Mayor’s Office he managed the Mayor’s relationships with the London boroughs before leading on the wider benefits work in relation to the Olympic and Paralympic Games, having a portfolio which included employment and skills, volunteering and sport.

He has led LVSC through a time of great transition since joining in late 2008, refocusing their activity on their founding principles of tackling poverty and inequality, as well as advocating on behalf of the voluntary and community sector in London. He was a member of the London Skills and Employment Board from 2009 to April 2011.